Allergies cut cancer risk - research

Allergies are thought to suppress the growth of cancerous cells in the brain.Photo / Thinkstock

People who suffer from allergies may have a lower risk of brain cancer, researchers say.

In a study at Ohio State University, blood samples from brain tumour patients were compared with those from people of a similar age and sex who were cancer-free.

The researchers found people affected by allergies to pollen, grass, pets and dust mites had a lower rate of glioblastoma, one of the most common types of brain cancer.

The results, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, showed women with allergy-related antibodies were 54 per cent less likely to get a brain tumour, with men 20 per cent less likely.

Its thought that because the immune system is on red alert much of the time with an allergy, this suppresses the growth of cancerous cells in the brain.

Last year, a Danish study found people with common contact allergies, such as to nickel, had a lower risk of developing certain cancers such as breast and skin cancer.